Single branches wilting

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
That interesting, I would have expected a half gallon of isopropyl to do some major damage to the trichomes. I use it for making hash.
A half gallon of 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with a half gallon of water and the other substances puts the alcohol concentration below 35% which will not harm the trichomes at all. I use it all the way through flowering and have zero negative effects.

When making iso hash oil the concentration should be in the high 90s%. That's a completely different ballgame.

At <35% the alcohol evaporates quickly leaving more of the dissolved potassium bicarbonate on the plant (instead of more dripping off) and as a bonus kills bugs that you don't want to use insecticides for later in flowering. I have also tank mixed spinosad and bt with it and had great results.
This is one of the pictures I use to illustrate that I've had no ill effects on my plants or their trichomes (it's also one of my favorite pictures from last year) 20201201_133225~2.jpg
It was sprayed at least weekly it's entire life. And I had no issues with powdery mildew or bud rot and I had no problems with borers, leaf hoppers, aphids or anything else.
 

707mend

Member
A lot of the times the branches can break where it connects to the stock and you can’t tell it’s broken inside that knuckle, make sure they are all supported well. If you pull on the branch and see if it just pops out
 

alaskanboy

Well-Known Member
A half gallon of 70% isopropyl alcohol mixed with a half gallon of water and the other substances puts the alcohol concentration below 35% which will not harm the trichomes at all. I use it all the way through flowering and have zero negative effects.

When making iso hash oil the concentration should be in the high 90s%. That's a completely different ballgame.

At <35% the alcohol evaporates quickly leaving more of the dissolved potassium bicarbonate on the plant (instead of more dripping off) and as a bonus kills bugs that you don't want to use insecticides for later in flowering. I have also tank mixed spinosad and bt with it and had great results.
This is one of the pictures I use to illustrate that I've had no ill effects on my plants or their trichomes (it's also one of my favorite pictures from last year) View attachment 4973175
It was sprayed at least weekly it's entire life. And I had no issues with powdery mildew or bud rot and I had no problems with borers, leaf hoppers, aphids or anything else.
I also use the same solution for indoor grows.
Hello Jimmiep I am battling mites and am going to use your spray recipe , was wondering do you ph your water before mixing? I’ve been using vitamin C ascorbic acid to lower ph . Thanks for your info
 

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Hey was wondering how it worked for you? I used distilled water, potassium bicarbonate, spinosad,and BT in one gallon and it burned the pistols on about 50% of my plant !
If the concentration of the potassium bicarbonate or alcohol is to high the pistils can darken. The plant and the trichomes should be fine though. I honestly have only seen actual damage happen if the plant already had a fungal infection.
Are you sure it was 70%isopropyl alcohol before mixing it. The reason I ask is because rubbing alcohol is not the same. It has other additives like camphor (and a few others I can't remember). Using that could cause damage.
Sorry it didn't work out as well for you. I and others I know, still use it all the time and don't have any issues.
 

alaskanboy

Well-Known Member
Hey was wondering how it worked for you? I used distilled water, potassium bicarbonate, spinosad,and BT in one gallon and it burned the pistols on about 50% of my plant !
If the concentration of the potassium bicarbonate or alcohol is to high the pistils can darken. The plant and the trichomes should be fine though. I honestly have only seen actual damage happen if the plant already had a fungal infection.
Are you sure it was 70%isopropyl alcohol before mixing it. The reason I ask is because rubbing alcohol is not the same. It has other additives like camphor (and a few others I can't remember). Using that could cause damage.
Sorry it didn't work out as well for you. I and others I know, still use it all the time and don't have any issues.
 

alaskanboy

Well-Known Member
Hey the plants are fine and I just wanted to share what my experience was man! The soap is an emulsion right? I wonder if I just needed a tad more, like the potassium was not staying in solution. I was shaking the sprayer quite a bit though! It definitely killed the aphids off ! Thanks
 

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
I'm concerned about the effect of alcohol on BT as well as it's compatibility with Spinosad
I thought about that as well when I first tried it. But it has not seemed to diminish their effectiveness.

I don't use the bt or the spinosad very late into flowering. That's when I switch to just the potassium bicarbonate, soap, water and alcohol. It seems to kill every bug it touches and leaves the bicarbonate to help kill and prevent any powdery mildew or botrytis.
 

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Hey the plants are fine and I just wanted to share what my experience was man! The soap is an emulsion right? I wonder if I just needed a tad more, like the potassium was not staying in solution. I was shaking the sprayer quite a bit though! It definitely killed the aphids off ! Thanks
Cool, I'm glad to here that.
As to the soap, yes it's an emulsifier.
When I mix everything up I start with warm water and the alcohol. Then I add the potassium bicarbonate and stir it until its completely dissolved.
I should note that I don't use a tank sprayer anymore. I have never found one that worked quite the way I would like them too. But if I was still using a tank sprayer I would pre mix everything in a bucket and then pour it into the tank.
Instead of tank sprayers, I use an airless paint sprayer now. The mist that it generates is like that from an aerosol can. It gets to every part of the plants and leaves a nice, light and even coating of what ever I'm spraying, even at the top of the plants and that's ten feet off the ground. My whole hoop house can be sprayed in very little time. They aren't cheap but well worth the price for the time they save and the coverage they deliver. It is my favorite gardening tool.
 

alaskanboy

Well-Known Member
Cool, I'm glad to here that.
As to the soap, yes it's an emulsifier.
When I mix everything up I start with warm water and the alcohol. Then I add the potassium bicarbonate and stir it until its completely dissolved.
I should note that I don't use a tank sprayer anymore. I have never found one that worked quite the way I would like them too. But if I was still using a tank sprayer I would pre mix everything in a bucket and then pour it into the tank.
Instead of tank sprayers, I use an airless paint sprayer now. The mist that it generates is like that from an aerosol can. It gets to every part of the plants and leaves a nice, light and even coating of what ever I'm spraying, even at the top of the plants and that's ten feet off the ground. My whole hoop house can be sprayed in very little time. They aren't cheap but well worth the price for the time they save and the coverage they deliver. It is my favorite gardening tool.
Thanks again,I will try the warm water with just the potassium, it probably was not dissolved completely. Yesterday I plucked one of those pychotic white moths that make catapillers right off the plant. It was either dead or close to it so the stuff is working !
 
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